Appeal for 1950s festival of lights memorabilia

The festival was said to rival Blackpool Illuminations with its large and elaborate displays

Organisers of a new festival of lights are appealing for stories and memorabilia from a similar event staged in the town in the 1950s.

After securing funding from the National Lottery, memorabilia from the Lights of Leamington Festival, which ran between 1951 and 1961, will be gathered for an exhibition, film and podcasts in February.

The event in Jephson Gardens rivalled Blackpool Illuminations and drew crowds from across the Midlands.

The exhibition will coincide with a new Lights of Leamington-inspired community festival called Spotlight.

David Clargo and Carole Sleight of Whittle Productions said they hoped people could dig out photos and memorabilia from the 1950s festival

People who remember the original festival are invited to attend two community days on 7 September at Dormer Conference Centre and 14 September at All Saints’ Parish Church.

Material from these events will be used to create a story archive which will have a permanent home in the Warwickshire County Records Office, organisers Whittle Productions said.

The original festival was described as a "fairy tale of colour"

Without funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the stories and cultural heritage - which will be exhibited in a project called "Switched on Stories" - might have been lost, they added.

The original festival was described as a "fairy tale of colour" which aimed to lift the mood of visitors who had faced years of austerity after World War Two.

The festival started in 1951 and ran until 1961

Trees were lit up in multiple colours and light displays installed in the gardens along with animal illuminations, fairy tale characters, music and dancing for people to enjoy.

In 2022, Arts Council funding was secured to carry out a feasibility study to see if a similar festival could be brought back to the town.

An ocean liner was also part of the illuminations

David Clargo, from Whittle Productions, said he hoped people would speak to their families and friends and look through old boxes of photos and films to dig out memorabilia.

“It’s a unique opportunity to unearth and document the stories and souvenirs surrounding this much cherished festival and create a legacy for Leamington Spa," he said.

The Manhattan skyline was also on display at the 1950s event